With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

Dale, you didn't mention the great game Casey Hampton played. He looked like the dominant NT of 3 years ago.The play where he just shoved #55 backward for 5 yards and right into Slaton was awesome. Maybe Coach Tknew something when he made the Big Snack lose weight and get in shape.

Troy had a nice hit on the first drive of the game. A Texan caught the ball in the right flat and Troy "pulled a Troy" and came from outside the view of the TV screen to make the hit and tackle. Woodley and someone else kinda piled on, but it was a healthy and once again fast Troy making the initial hit. Couple that with the pick and a few other plays and its hard to say anything but, "he's back".

@Anon: Timmons is also taking over some of the Polamalu-like duties when he's in there. I suspect when Timmons is in the game, we'll see Troy playing more coverage. Timmons has that an explosive first step like Troy and can close in a hurry.

Polamalu looked fine to me. As somebody mentioned, he had the big hit early in the first quarter that kind of set the tone.That said, I think he got his bell rung a little on that play. It was a very violent collision.I waited around for Troy in the locker room after the game, but he never came out to his locker.That means he was likely getting treatment for something.

Thanks Dale on the Troy question.I also saw the hit after that I didn't see much of him. It looked as though Farrior was making sure he was ok afterwards. I hate the way he tackels. He hits hard but his head is always down and it scares me. Well like I said I didn't see much of him after that. The locker room tells me that he will take it easy this week.

Any word on why Anthony Smith was deactivated? Is he still a little dinged up or was it a coach's decision to sit him? I thought he did a nice job at Strong Safety in the preseason and is a better overall backup than Tyrone Carter.